Original subtitles

Here she is.

She should have arrived earlier.

Welcome.

You're late. He's nearly dead.

When did the scorpion bite him?

Late last night.

You who shows me the path

O, my master

Hear my call

O, my master

You who shows me the path

Hear my call

O, my master

I won't give you a single rupee.

Look at his arm: it's not moving.

You can't cure him and you want money?

I can take care of his poison,

but there's no cure for your poison.

I won't pay anything.

Then I'm throwing these herbs away.

Let the poison stay!

Bring back the herbs.

Bring them back!

Come back.

Come back.

Please.

Come in.

Did you talk to her?

We didn't need to talk.

I don't sit gazing at stars.

I'm not a dreamer.

I don't wait for someone to guide me.

You sit like a beggar.

Maybe Allah will pity you one day.

My master...

I've seen that smile many times.

I know what you think about me.

I don't think about you.

You're wasting time with your obsession.

Fine. Waste it!

I'm off to see my ladies of the night.

Think about it.

Come with me.

You go.

Everyone believes in doctors,

but the villagers are still superstitious.

No doctor is as beautiful as she is.

And no doctor sings for you either.

So you're not coming along?

You might be right.

In the darkness, I never see much.

I'm not sure who I'm kissing...

a woman or a transvestite.

You didn't bring the herbs for my feet?

Nooran?

Up!

Nooran?

How was I to know you'd be here?

You keep forgetting about me.

What I choose to remember is up to me.

I've been following you everywhere.

It took me a whole day to get to you.

How was I to recognize you in the village?

I'm not the kind who gets lost in a crowd.

Well, I didn't see you.

Wait.

Give me my money.

So you knew I would be here?

Your absence would've surprised me.

Nooran.

Come on.

I see you everywhere in my home.

But I know it's an illusion.

This earth is Allah's gift.

I need you, a real flesh and bone wife.

Marry me.

We'll be the happiest couple in the world.

Prepare your grandmother to sing at our wedding.

Shall I come tomorrow?

Marry you? Never.

Come to my home,

I'll have scorpions waiting for you.

I'd rather be bitten by you.

How many are you carrying?

Set them on me now,

and let it all end.

Let's see them.

Come on!

What?

Why "no"? I've been chasing you for a year.

Leave me alone.

What are you doing?

How dare you harass our women!

I'm not. Ask her!

Are you alright, my child?

Are you sure?

I know him.

He's from near the border.

Yeah, the camel trader.

He looked like a decent man.

People aren't always what they seem.

How long will you drag his camels along?

Stop.

Stop.

I just watched. I couldn't stop them.

They could've hurt you.

You knew he would be there.

Didn't you?

Is there something going on here?

Hush, I made him pay for the herbs.

But I should have kept the camels.

You don't care about the camels.

You have feelings for the man.

Camels, I can sell.

What will I do with the man?

Well, I know.

Shall I tell you?

Be quiet.

Amma?

Sing, my beloved

Sing me a song

Live long in melody, my beloved

Awaken life all around us

Your grandmother's chatting to the dunes.

Yes.

The wind must have brought new ones.

Life blossoms all around us

Life blossoms within me

Where's she hiding?

Nooran?

I'm in the kitchen.

Come here.

I'm cooking.

Come.

Give me the money.

Why?

Because I don't want it in this house.

It won't stay long.

There are people to pay

and supplies to buy.

Give it to the poor.

No one is poorer than us.

That money is poison, Nooran.

I know.

Do you want to poison the poor?

You cheeky girl!

I'm going back to my cooking.

We singers must sacrifice ourselves

if we want to save lives.

Are you ready to give up your own life?

You're not ready, Nooran.

You know that.

Cook all the extravagant dishes you like.

I won't eat food bought with this money.

Amina, help me.

Fine by me.

I don't care.

You'll be hungry soon enough.

Stubborn women, the both of you!

You're not going home?

No one's waiting for me there.

Look.

When's your husband coming back?

If he returns, he returns.

If he doesn't, he doesn't.

Only Allah knows.

Look.

It's empty.

And this one...

Empty.

Amina.

Come here.

Give the money to the poor at the mosque.

Sure.

I'll go now.

Go in peace.

Nooran, I'm going.

Alright.

Amma.

Get up.

Come on.

Let's go.

Go.

Run along.

Welcome.

Bismillah.

Is she drinking milk?

No.

Is she peeing?

No.

Is she sleeping well?

No, she cries a lot.

Little darling.

Let me see.

Amma.

Give it here.

You'll soon be dancing again.

Now, Nooran.

My princess

My beautiful princess

You are the lightning in a stormy sky

You sing now.

Go on.

You are our joy

Our home and our world

You are always in play

Making and breaking our hearts

You are the seasons, you are the gardens

You are the flowers, you are the spring

My beautiful princess

You are the lightning in a stormy sky

Far up in the sky

The moon ascends

A wondrous melody

resounds through our world

Is your practice over already?

Stay away.

It took me hours to get warm.

Your hands are freezing.

I'm cold.

Shoo!

I'm so cold.

Leave my quilt alone.

Go away.

My granddaughter bought it for me.

I don't know where she got the money,

but I'm not going to share it.

Leave me alone now.

Leave this quilt.

Go sing outside.

Sing your song.

Go to the sand dunes

and sing from there.

A camel attached to its post won't grow.

A real camel wanders in the desert.

Go now.

The moon, the stars and the dunes

will teach you new songs.

Run along.

Do I look like a camel to you?

I won't learn from anyone else but you.

Not from the dunes, not from the stars.

Only your husband can teach you now.

One day, you'll leave this house.

Not that again...

It's freezing!

Amma?

When will you give me this shawl?

When you're ready.

You won't even have to ask.

That's why I'm sending you out,

so that day comes quickly.

Sing at the top of your lungs.

I want to hear you.

Far up in the sky

The moon ascends

A wondrous melody

resounds through our world

This is for my niece,

and this is for my daughter.

Try it on.

It's beautiful.

You're beautiful.

Go on, try it on.

You've finally come to visit your sister?

So you did get beaten up.

Who were they?

It doesn't matter.

Allah seems unhappy with me.

Was it because of a girl?

Well, it wasn't about a camel.

Who is this girl?

Forget it. I've put her out of my mind.

But everybody's talking about it.

Really?

Hello?

So, who is it?

Is that so?

Everyone has a mobile phone now.

You haven't changed at all.

You're still so innocent.

Now, go change.

I'll be cooking.

Come and show me your new dress.

Let me see.

My princess. My little peacock.

Lovely. Very pretty.

Shall we play hide and seek?

You count.

Ayesha?

Beggars get beaten.

That's life, my friend.

You should've called me.

Listen.

Once we've been in bed together,

there'll be a smile on my face.

I won't have to say anything to you.

You'll understand.

Wherever you go,

you'll be mine. Right, Aadam?

Mine.

That's life, my princess.

There's always someone smiling at you.

Smile.

That smile eats away at my insides.

But I won't live like a ghost.

I'll smash anyone who smiles at me so.

I'll be a master.

But you'll die in misery.

Because there'll be nothing left of you.

Do you understand me?

He understands everything.

That sweet smile is of the enemy.

You speak the truth, Munna.

But that smile is very addictive.

You're right.

Don't ever forget that smile is poison.

You just keep swinging.

Nooran, go see.

Who is it?

My brother's been bitten by a scorpion.

Where is he?

In the old ruins, near the highway.

Hurry!

I'm coming.

Be careful.

Where did the scorpion bite him?

Wait!

What...

Who is this?

You bastard.

Don't make a fuss.

Stay here.

You pig!

How dare you touch me?

How dare you?

Where is he?

Where's that bastard?

Nooran?

Where is Amma?

I'll go look.

I can't find her.

She'll be back soon, don't worry.

She's gone into the desert.

Take care of your wounds.

I'll go look for her.

No, I'm going.

Nooran.

Amma.

Nooran?

Nooran, it's me.

Amina.

Open the door.

Let me in. Please.

What is it?

You want me to help you?

I'll break the door open for you.

It's open to all now.

You dirty bastards!

I have some food for you.

I'm throwing it into the courtyard.

Please eat something.

Hey, beautiful!

Come on...

After all, we're from your village.

Give us a chance too.

We're from your village.

Where will she go?

Why would she go?

Why should she leave her home

and wander around like a beggar?

The village will help her.

We'll take you to the city, my child.

And then?

What will she do there?

What she does here.

She'll do the same there.

I can't sing anymore.

There's poison inside me now.

And you want to take away my home too?

Our whole village is poisoned now.

We should protect her

instead of throwing her out.

She's never been part of this village.

She's an insolent and shameless girl!

Always greedy for money.

She never listened to her grandmother.

God knows where the poor woman is now.

I won't leave my home.

Let's go back, Nooran.

No, I want to see.

Did you find me in there?

Don't go, Nooran.

What's he doing here?

Who is it?

Don't worry. I know him.

What are you doing here?

Don't stay here.

Go out.

Go out.

What is it?

You didn't answer my question.

What are you doing here?

I told you already.

And I'm telling you again:

We'll be the happiest couple on this earth.

When did you say that?

When you had me beaten up.

I didn't have you beaten up.

You didn't stop them either.

I thought

you would easily beat them.

Hey, Nooran.

If you think so highly of me, marry me.

Excuse me?

Will you help me find my grandmother?

Yes. For better or for worse.

I will.

Congratulations.

Ayesha?

Where is your aunt?

My princess. Are you angry with me?

What's wrong?

This is your new mother.

Say hello.

You don't want to?

Why not?

I want to return with my Auntie.

Where is she?

With aunt Zohra.

She went to her house.

Nooran, I'll be back.

I'll be right back.

Shakila?

There's no one to welcome my wife.

Zohra, run to my house. Make her some tea.

Where are you going?

Tell me.

Send Ayesha back with me.

If you want what's best, let me have her.

Ashraf, let's go.

Ashraf, no.

Take this woman back where you found her.

For all our sakes.

Look at me.

Look at me.

Have you ever seen me so happy?

Men are fools.

Anyway, we're married now.

What's done is done. Don't be mad.

Let's go home.

No.

Will she just keep sleeping?

Leave the food here.

Quietly.

Leave now.

Will I have to walk the desert again

to reach you?

I will.

Time and again if I must.

I'm going to Jaisalmer.

I'll be late returning home.

Go back to sleep.

No one will bother you here.

I'm happy to see you sleep like this.

It shows that you trust me.

Nooran.

Nooran.

If I touch you without your consent...

Take this knife.

Come and eat.

Father says you must eat.

I'll do it.

Please do.

I'll also heat the milk.

Your mother has a medicine for everything.

Your mother herself

is medicine.

She can cure the sting of scorpions

and the bites of snakes.

She listens to the poison.

Like this.

And then she sings.

She sings the song of scorpions.

And the poison fades away.

The song of scorpions?

Sing it for me.

Another time. Not today, my daughter.

Tell her, Father.

Sing, Nooran.

It's been so long since I heard you.

You sang for Father but not for me?

I will sing for you. I promise.

Alright.

Ayesha.

Let me see inside.

Can I come in?

Why not?

What are you hiding?

A fox?

No.

A deer?

No.

A camel?

No.

An elephant?

No.

I'll go, then.

Father says that...

you're my new mother.

I could be your mother,

your grandma,

your auntie,

your sister

or your friend.

Whatever you like.

Alright.

You'll be my grandma

Very well.

Like this?

The smell tells me this is divine food.

The taste of paradise.

You can't imagine how happy I am today.

In the desert, you used to walk past me

as if I didn't exist.

I liked that very much.

I used to think:

she'll never be mine.

So many times, I've walked day and night

just to see you, to listen to you.

And as always, I let you walk away from me.

Is that how our life is going to be?

I want to be your wife in every way.

But I'm not myself anymore.

The old Nooran,

a man robbed her from me.

He took Nooran away from me.

How can that be?

He just left my flesh and bones.

I want the real Nooran back.

I'm searching for that Nooran.

I really am.

Munna.

What are you doing here?

Are you busy?

No, why?

Ayesha.

You don't make a fuss with your father.

No.

Stop it.

Eat something, my little princess.

Open wide. Open your mouth.

No.

Your father will say I neglect you.

No, he won't.

Come on.

My princess

You are the lightning

in a stormy sky

Raindrops fly

Raindrops fly from the clouds

You see?

Everything is changing for the better.

That's why I'm asking for more.

What do you mean? What's changing?

Why do people travel miles in their cars?

Why?

To beg.

They make phone calls to beg.

Nothing has changed.

We said 500, and now you want more?

You're the woman of my dreams:

don't be a beggar, alright?

I'm not a beggar.

I take things into my own hands.

You have to pay for that.

Aadam, you hear that?

No.

What's going to happen to this country?

No one sticks to their promises.

You think you're from America?

You want to stuff your face

without paying?

I stick to our traditions:

make me happy, you'll have a present.

Guys like you,

I know how to make them happy.

You see, Aadam? She knows her job.

How's your business going?

Why use a condom?

Just as well use your hand!

But you look happy.

Good.

You're the perfect husband.

And you're keeping pure and clean.

You still owe me a lot of money.

You know that, right?

You remember, right?

Forget it.

I have a good memory.

There are things you can't forget.

Aadam.

Don't be offended.

I wanted to ask you something:

why did you send me to her?

You wanted to forget her,

but then you married her.

You're a very strange guy.

But if you're happy,

then I'm happy too.

I'm glad my hard work helped you out.

Isn't that right, Aadam?

What are you doing?

Stop that.

You're enjoying a sweet

that's covered in my spit.

Aadam.

It bit me, Aadam.

Why?

Upon hearing the song

a young deer dances

Upon hearing the song

a young deer dances

it dances

between the earth and the sky

A scorpion did get me this time.

He got me.

Your husband

is a two-faced bastard.

Money in my pocket, a scorpion in my back.

He just stood staring at me

then dragged me

deep into the desert.

So he found you?

Yes.

He found me.

But a long time ago.

A long time ago?

Yes.

A very long time ago.

He cheated me with money.

He cheated you with love.

God knows that I didn't want to.

I did what he told me to do.

Just what he told me to.

Get up.

Go die somewhere else.

Go die in the desert.

What are you doing?

Scorpions?

When my Amma

sang the song of scorpions,

the scorpions would go still.

She could hold them in her palm.

Can I pick one up?

Can I?

I can't sing as well as my Amma.

Nooran.

A new life

has come into our home

She comes from the waters

She comes from the winds

She comes down from the sky

She has come into our home

She comes from the rain

She comes from the rain, from the dew

She has come into our home

She comes from the river

She comes from the mountain

Like perfume, she comes

She has come into our home

Like perfume, she comes

She has come into our home

A new life

Has come into our home

Beat the drums with joy

People say it'll be a boy.

Boy or girl, I don't mind.

It could have been his baby.

Would you still have married me?

It's our child, Nooran.

He hit me with a rock.

And after that,

how did he look at me?

What did he tear off me first?

Nooran.

How did he tear it?

Tearing clothes with your bare hands

is not easy.

Perhaps

he had a knife?

No, no.

I want to remember everything

to be able to forget it all.

Come to me.

Come here to me.

I thought I could never

let a man touch me again.

But you see:

I'm here.

With you.

And I want you to touch me.

Here.

Here.

Here.

Come to me.

It won't be for long.

And when you return,

you'll have a brother to play with.

Phone me when you're coming back.

I'll call you every half an hour.

Let's go.

My beloved

Reside in my heart

Read the darkness within

My beloved, reside in my heart

Read the darkness within

Sing, my beloved, sing me a song

Live long in melody

Live, my beloved

Life blossoms all around us

Life blossoms within me

Goodbye.

What happened?

Come.

Come, my love.

Let's go home.

No.

You...

What...

The man you sent to me,

the man who took away my soul,

who took away my Amma from me,

he lies in the sand there.

Let's go home.

Your wife,

your child,

your joy,

I will take them away from you.

No.

Everything you lived for,

I will take it away from you.

I wanted to tear you out of my heart.

I wanted to forget you.

But I could not.

If you're not here,

I don't want to be here either.

You're my woman. You're my life.

I'll go with you, Nooran.

You who shows me the path

O, my master

What are you singing?

No.

Don't let me die alone.

I can't die alone.

You who shows me the path

There's so much I regret.

Nooran, don't ever speak about me

to our child.